JP7443146B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a communication unit.

As a camera that is an imaging device, it is known that the camera is equipped with a shake detection unit constituted by a gyro sensor or the like, and performs an image shake correction (anti-shake) operation in response to camera shake detected by the shake detection unit. . In such a camera, vibrations generated by the shutter operation (hereinafter referred to as "shutter vibrations") may be detected by the shake detection unit, and in this case, unnecessary vibration-proofing operations may be performed.

In response to this, a camera has been proposed in which a shake detection unit is held between cushioning materials so as not to detect shutter vibration (for example, see Patent Document 1). However, in this case, if the distance between the shake detection unit and the shutter is short, shutter vibrations propagated from the shutter may not be sufficiently damped by the buffer material and may be detected by the shake detection unit. Therefore, in order to separate the shake detection unit and the shutter sufficiently, it is preferable to arrange the shake detection unit closer to the subject than the finder in the camera.

By the way, some cameras are known that are equipped with a wireless communication unit for transmitting captured images to the outside via wireless communication. If the wireless communication unit is covered by the user's hand, the communication performance will deteriorate, so it is preferable that the wireless communication unit be placed in the internal space of the camera closer to the subject than the viewfinder, where it is less likely to be covered by the user's hand.

That is, the shake detection unit and the wireless communication unit are often placed closer to the subject than the finder in the camera.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-60160

However, as described above, as a result of the arrangement of the shake detection unit and the wireless communication unit, components made of conductive material of the shake detection unit may interfere with communications of the wireless communication unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device that can accurately detect shake and perform smooth communication.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device of the present invention includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a shake detection unit that detects shake of the imaging device, and the communication unit and the shake detection unit are arranged along the imaging optical axis. The shake detection unit includes a conductive member, the communication unit is arranged to be inclined with respect to the shake detection unit , and is further away from the imaging optical axis than the shake detection unit. The present invention is characterized in that it is disposed at a far position and above the shake detection unit, and both the communication unit and the shake detection unit are disposed closer to the subject than the display section of the finder .

According to the present invention, accurate shake detection and smooth communication can be performed in an imaging device.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera as an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the arrangement relationship between a communication unit and a shake detection unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as "camera") 100 as an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the camera 100 in FIG. 1.

The camera 100 is an interchangeable lens camera in which an interchangeable lens unit 200 can be attached and detached. The interchangeable lens unit 200 is attached to the camera 100 by bayonet-coupling the lens mount 201 provided on the interchangeable lens unit 200 with the camera mount 101 provided on the camera 100.

In the camera 100, the image sensor 302 is composed of a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, etc., and captures an optical image (subject image) formed by the imaging optical system of the interchangeable lens unit 200, and converts it into an analog imaging signal that is an electrical signal. . Further, the shutter 301 is arranged in front of the image sensor 302 (on the subject side), blocks light from entering the image sensor 302 when not capturing an image, and controls the exposure amount of the image sensor 302 by opening and closing during image capturing.

The A/D converter 304 converts the analog image signal output from the image sensor 302 into a digital image signal and outputs it to the image processing section 305 and the memory control section 306. The image processing unit 305 performs pixel interpolation processing, resizing processing, color conversion processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, etc. on the digital image signal input from the A/D converter 304 or the memory control unit 306, and records the signal. Generate image data for use or display. Further, the image processing unit 305 performs various arithmetic processing using the generated image data. The system control unit 307 uses the calculation results obtained by the image processing unit 305 to perform AF (autofocus) processing and AE (automatic exposure) processing.

Memory control unit 306 writes image data to memory 308. The memory 308 serves both as an image data recording memory and an image display memory (video memory). The D/A converter 309 converts the image data for display written in the memory 308 into an analog image signal and supplies the analog image signal to the finder display section 106 and the rear display section 105, which are configured by a display device such as an LCD. As a result, an image corresponding to the display image data written in the memory 308 is displayed as a live view image on the finder display section 106 and the rear display section 105. Further, a confirmation image corresponding to the image data for recording is displayed on the finder display section 106 and the rear display section 105.

The nonvolatile memory 310 is configured with an EEPROM or the like, and stores operational constants, programs, etc. used by the system control unit 307. The system control unit 307 has at least one processor and controls the camera 100 and the interchangeable lens unit 200. The system memory 311 is configured with a RAM, and stores constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 307, or expands programs read from the nonvolatile memory 310. Further, the system control unit 307 controls the memory 308, the D/A converter 309, the finder display unit 106, and the rear display unit 105 to perform image display control.

The system timer 312 measures the current time and time used for various controls. The first shutter switch 104a is turned on by half-pressing the shutter button 104 provided on the camera 100 (imaging preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The system control unit 307 starts imaging preparation processing such as AF processing, AE processing, and AWB processing in response to the first shutter switch signal SW1. The second shutter switch 104b is turned on by fully pressing the shutter button 104 (imaging instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 307 controls the opening and closing of the shutter blade 301a provided in the shutter 301, reads signals from the image sensor 302, writes image data for recording to the recording medium 330, etc. in accordance with the second shutter switch signal SW2. Start imaging processing.

The operation unit 108 includes buttons and dials operated by the user, a touch panel provided on the rear display unit 105, and the like. The power switch 103 switches the start and end of power supply from the power supply unit 314 to each part of the camera according to a user's operation. The power supply control unit 313 is constituted by a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching the blocks to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is attached, the type of the attached battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power supply control unit 313 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and instructions from the system control unit 307, and supplies the necessary voltage to each part of the camera including the recording medium 330 for a necessary period. .

The power supply unit 314 includes a primary battery, a secondary battery, an AC adapter, and the like. The recording medium I/F 315 is an interface with a recording medium 330 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 330 is a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like that records generated image data. The communication unit 316 performs wireless communication with an external device to transmit and receive image data and audio data for display and recording, as well as various other information, to and from the external device. Furthermore, the communication unit 316 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

The system control unit 307 of the camera 100 and the lens control unit 203 of the interchangeable lens unit 200 communicate via the camera connector 102 provided in the camera 100 and the lens connector 202 provided in the interchangeable lens unit 200. The system control unit 307 transmits a focus command signal and an aperture command signal to the lens control unit 203, and the lens control unit 203 that receives these signals drives the focus lens group 210 included in the imaging optical system via the lens drive unit 204. and the aperture 211.

The shake detection unit 320 is configured using an element capable of detecting angular acceleration, such as a gyro sensor. The shake detection unit 320 detects the camera 100 in three axial directions: a pitch direction around the pitch axis of the camera 100, a pitch direction around the yaw axis, and a roll direction around the roll axis of the camera 100 shown in FIG. Detect vibration (hereinafter referred to as "camera shake"). The shake detection unit 320 outputs a signal indicating the angular velocity of camera shake, and the system control unit 307 calculates the magnitude of camera shake (hereinafter referred to as "camera shake amount") from the angular velocity signal.

The image sensor driving unit 303 moves the image sensor 302 in a plane perpendicular to the imaging optical axis 600 according to the calculated amount of camera shake to perform optical image blur correction (optical image stabilization). Further, the image processing unit 305 performs electronic image blur correction (electronic image stabilization) by moving the cutting position from the image data according to the amount of camera shake.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of camera 100. In FIG. 3, the direction parallel to the imaging optical axis 600 is the Z direction, the vertical direction of the camera 100 is the Y direction, and the horizontal direction of the camera 100 is the X direction.

The main body 120 of the camera 100 is a structure (chassis) that provides the strength of the camera 100. The top cover unit 110 is connected to the upper part of the main body 120 by fastening means such as screws. A shake detection unit 320 and a communication unit 316 are attached to this top cover unit 110.

The shake detection unit 320 includes a sensor section 320a made up of a gyro sensor and electrical components related to driving the sensor section, and a holding member 320b (conductive member) that holds the sensor section 320a. Since the holding member 320b also functions as a bracket for attaching the shake detection unit 320 to the top cover unit 110, it is made of, for example, a bent sheet metal in order to achieve both miniaturization and ensuring rigidity.

The shake detection unit 320 is connected to the top cover unit 110 at its upper side. On the other hand, the communication unit 316 is connected to the top cover unit 110 at its lower side. That is, the shake detection unit 320 and the communication unit 316 face each other in the Y direction.

Incidentally, the top cover 111, which is the base of the top cover unit 110, is made of highly conductive carbon-containing resin, magnesium alloy, or the like in order to prevent electromagnetic noise from the camera 100. On the other hand, it is preferable to avoid covering the communication unit 316 with the top cover 111 made of a highly conductive material in order to perform wireless communication with the outside.

Therefore, the top cover 111 is provided with an opening 111a that can accommodate the communication unit 316, and the antenna cover 112 made of a non-conductive material covers the communication unit 316 accommodated in the opening 111a. The antenna cover 112 is screwed to the top cover unit 110.

In the camera 100 according to the present embodiment, the shake detection unit 320 and the communication unit 316 are arranged above the shutter 301 and the image sensor 302 and closer to the subject than the finder display section 106. That is, the communication unit 316 and the shake detection unit 320 are arranged close to each other in a space away from the imaging optical axis 600 inside the camera 100. Note that the communication unit 316 is arranged at a position farther from the imaging optical axis 600 than the shake detection unit 320. Further, although a part of the holding member 320b is bent, the holding member 320b is formed into a substantially flat plate shape as a whole, and is arranged substantially parallel to the XZ plane.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining in detail the arrangement relationship between the communication unit 316 and the shake detection unit 320, and FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view of the camera 100 taken along the YZ plane along the imaging optical axis 600. FIG. 4(B) shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of region B in FIG. 4(A).

By the way, as described above, since the holding member 320b is made of a sheet metal and has conductivity, if the holding member 320b is close to the communication unit 316, it may interfere with the wireless communication of the communication unit 316.

Correspondingly, in this embodiment, the communication unit 316 is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the shake detection unit 320. Specifically, the substrate 316b of the communication unit 316 on which the antenna 316a is printed is not arranged parallel to the XZ plane, but is arranged at an angle with respect to the holding member 320b. Thereby, the communication unit 316 can be placed as far away as possible from the holding member 320b of the shake detection unit 320 inside the camera 100, thereby reducing the possibility that the holding member 320b will interfere with wireless communication of the communication unit 316. I can do it.

Furthermore, if the antenna 316a is located away from the holding member 320b by an integral multiple or fraction of the wavelength of the wireless communication radio waves (hereinafter referred to as "usable radio waves") used by the communication unit 316, the antenna 316a is not used by the holding member 320b. Sensitivity deteriorates due to the influence of radio wave radiation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the substrate 316b of the communication unit 316 with respect to the holding member 320b is such that the antenna 316a (the center of the antenna 316a) is not located near a distance that is an integral multiple or a fraction of the wavelength of the radio wave used. Set. As a result, the antenna 316a of the communication unit 316 is less susceptible to the radiation of the used radio waves from the holding member 320b, so that the communication unit 316 can perform smooth communication.

Furthermore, the inclination direction of the communication unit 316 (board 316b) is a direction in which the communication unit 316 moves downward toward the subject, and is a direction along the inclination of the antenna cover 112. As a result, the distance between the communication unit 316 and the shake detection unit 320 can be increased without changing the antenna cover 112 to accommodate the communication unit 316, and it is possible to achieve both the appearance of the camera 100 and the communication performance. can.

Further, as described above, the shake detection unit 320 is arranged in the camera 100 above the shutter 301 and closer to the subject than the finder display section 106. This allows the shake detection unit 320 to be placed sufficiently away from the shutter 301, thereby suppressing vibrations of the shutter 301 from being mistakenly detected as shakes of the camera 100. That is, in this embodiment, accurate shake detection and smooth communication can be performed.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist thereof.

100 Digital camera 106 Finder display section 110 Top cover unit 111 Top cover 111a Opening 112 Antenna cover 316 Communication unit 316a Antenna 316b Board 320 Shake detection unit 320b Holding member 600 Imaging optical axis

Claims (5)

A communication unit that performs wireless communication and a shake detection unit that detects shake of the imaging device,
The communication unit and the shake detection unit are arranged in a space away from the imaging optical axis,
The shake detection unit includes a conductive member,
The communication unit is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the shake detection unit, and is arranged at a position farther from the imaging optical axis than the shake detection unit, and above the shake detection unit ,
An imaging device characterized in that both the communication unit and the shake detection unit are arranged closer to a subject than a display section of a finder . The communication unit has a substrate on which an antenna is formed,
The conductive member is molded into a flat plate shape,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is arranged so as to be inclined with respect to the conductive member. 3. The substrate is tilted with respect to the conductive member so that the antenna is not located near a distance that is an integral multiple or a fraction of the wavelength of radio waves used by the communication unit. imaging device. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the communication unit is housed in an opening of a top cover unit and further covered with an antenna cover made of a non-conductive material. The imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the communication unit is tilted along the slope of the antenna cover.